Izah Azahari
Brunei and South Korea have developed a common understanding through the virtual exchange programme strengthening ties in all sectors, especially among youth that has been established between the participants, said Director of Youth and Sports Umi Kalthum binti Haji Abdul Karim.
The knowledge and experience from this programme are valuable and will help propel youth towards accepting and understanding different cultures, and improving relations between the two countries, Umi Kalthum said.
“The programme has been implemented virtually for the third time and it hoped that it can be held physically by next year,” she said.
The director, as the guest of honour, made these remarks during the closing ceremony of the three-day virtual Brunei Darussalam-Korea Youth Exchange Programme 2022. It was organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) through its Department of Youth and Sports in cooperation with the Korea Youth Work Agency (KYWA) and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family at the Digadong Hall at the MCYS building yesterday.
The virtual exchange was held on September 15, 16 and 30.
The ceremony began with a recorded closing speech by the KYWA Executive Director for Youth Policy Planning Kim Hyon-won.
Brunei representative Berlyanna Indah Yordhana binti Jefry and Korean representative Seo Hyeon-min also spoke during the event, along with a video presentation on the Sultanate and Korea Intergovernmental Youth Exchange Programme 2022 (Virtual).
Twenty participants – 10 from each country – comprising youth from associations, secondary schools, colleges and higher education institutions were divided into two groups according to their age range and topic of discussion.
Group A, aged 16 to 18, discussed ‘Sustainable and Livable Planet’, while Group B, aged 19 to 24, discussed ‘The Importance of Digital Transformation and Improving Digital Transformation Capacity of Youth’.
The programme aimed to create a platform for youth to exchange culture, share ideas and knowledge.
It is also hoped to expand the perspective of both countries by strengthening international cooperation and holding discussions on global issues, especially related to life after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acting Deputy Director of Youth and Sports Haji Mohamad Ros-fazilah bin Haji Yusly and officers from the department were also in attendance.
